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Basement Renovations: How To Take Your Basement From Dreary to Dreamy

February 3, 2020

Basements: often forgotten, pushed aside, deprioritized in favor of a large kitchen renovation of bathroom remodeling project. Basements, regardless of whether they are finished or unfinished, have a tendency to be boring, dreary, and dull, hence why they are left in the stone age in terms of decoration and renovation.

This being said, there are a few ways that any basement can be elevated and transformed into a warm, welcoming space.

Here are a few ideas of the fantastic spaces that your basement could transform into with a bit of creativity and patience.

A basement bedroom.

Basements can be wonderful places for bedrooms- and no, they don’t have to be cold and stale. Basements often have large rooms and.or open spaces that are perfect for housing a bed, dresser, and a comfortable couch.

This being said, their wall space is abundant, so with a coat of paint and some stylish well decor, they can become cozy sleeping spaces.

A small rental unit.

Finished basements can be turned into small, private rental suites. When fitted with a kitchenette, updated appliances, and a spacious island, your empty basement space can be used to earn some extra income.

You may also choose to lend this space to a friend, relative, or perhaps, your child when he or she is in between jobs or apartments.

A playroom.

Children come with toys, and these toys need a place to live when not in use. Why not use the basement to house the extra toys (and the annoying toys that talk?).

Update the basement with fun colors, comfy places to sit, a child sized table, and maybe even an indoor playground or ball pit and let the kids run wild.

A craft room.

Any crafters out there? If so, consider turning your basement into the ultimate craft room.

Install a table and a stereo-system or TV, a computer and printer, and dedicate a space for all of your craft and creative supplies. Install overhead lights and spend hours making masterpieces!

A home gym.

Workout equipment is big and bulky. This being said, it needs a large space to be kept, which is where the often excessive size of basements come in.

Most basements will easily fit a treadmill, stair climber, weights, and a number of other fitness devices. While you’re at it, set up a sweet sound system and make the most of your home fitness centre.

A home theatre.

With the release of great movies on the rise, movie collectors need a relaxing space in which to enjoy their favorite flicks. This space could be your basement.

With the addition of a large TV (or two?), a sound system, comfy couches or a sectional, and a stylish shelving unit for housing the prized movie collection, your basement could become a home theatre.

For added pizzazz, consider getting your hands on an old fashioned popcorn machine and a fridge or cooler to keep refreshments.

Blog, Home Improvement, Tips

Revamp Your Outdoor Living Space with These Simple Strategies

July 27, 2018

Your outdoor living space is just as important as what’s inside your home. Because it is still a part of your property, it is just right to maximize the space as much as possible and make the most out of it. In this article, we will share with you some tips to improve your outdoor living space regardless of how small or big the space is.

1. Set traffic patterns

You can improve the look and functionality of your yard if you establish traffic patterns by setting up walkways, planting trees or plants on the borders or corners, and making transitions in hardscape materials.

2. Add a fire pit or fireplace

Set up a fire pit outdoors where people can gather on chilly nights and have a good time. However, before you set up one, you should first check with your local government and find out the fire safety policies for outdoor fireplace.

3. Add as many types of seating options as you can

Offer flexibility by installing a variety of seating options such as benches, stools, couches, and regular chairs.

4. Set up a focal point

Inside your house, there is surely a focal point—this can be in the form of a sofa or an art piece. Apply the same in your outdoor living space and give your visitors’ eyes something to land on. This can be in the form of a fountain or a central gathering point where you can set up pieces of furniture that blend well together.

5. Improve visual appeal with water features or art pieces

You can purchase affordable sculptures and water features to make your yard more visually appealing. If you can’t afford a built-in fountain, you can always purchase a tabletop one that is way cheaper.

6. Add tabletop decorations

If you want to add accents and make your outdoor living space more colorful, you can use tabletop decorations such as vases and vibrant containers on the side tables. Additionally, you can also add beautiful mini pots for more impact.

7. Accentuate your wall

Blank walls that are used as borders can be really boring. For a more decorative option, you can install wall containers with trailing vines. Additionally, you can also add a piece of art that is suitable to be placed outdoors.

8. Leverage containers to add more color and design

There are pots of various sizes and shapes that you can use to add color and texture to your yard. It is recommended to use lightweight ones such that you can easily move them around whenever you want to change your design concept or layout. You can also use these pots as borders on pathways or around your patio.

Final Thoughts

There are countless of ways on how you can revamp your outdoor living space, the ones included in this article are just some of the most effective ways. In the end, the improvement in your outdoor living space that you should implement still largely depends on your own style and preference, the types of activities that your family loves to do, and your budget.

Blog, Home Remodelling, Tips

Tips for Creating a More Functional Kitchen

July 26, 2018

The kitchen can be considered as the heart of the home as it is where meals are prepared and the place where the whole family gathers to share meals and strengthen their bond. With this, it is unsurprising that many people also consider it as one of the top priorities when renovating a home.

In this article, we will give you some tips on how to make your kitchen not only pleasing to the eye, but functional as well.

1. Appliances under the cabinet.

Full appliances such as the dishwasher can be placed under cabinets, so you can try to designate a spot for these. You can place appliances under the cabinet or use work surfaces on top of cabinets in order to maximize the space you have.

2. U-shaped central island

Your kitchen’s central island can be used for a variety of purposes. By installing a U-shaped central island, you will be able to enjoy more space compared to having a huge rectangular central island. The gap in the U-shape ensures there is no wasted central space. Plus, you can also install drawers on the sides.

3. Strategically-positioned windows

Not only will strategically-placed windows give you a good view to look at while you’re cooking or washing the fruits and vegetables that you will use, but will also allow you to have a better access to natural sunlight.

4. Installing a second sink.

Having a second sink on the central island is very practical because two persons can use a sink at the same time. Also, one can be designated for washing dishes and utensils, while the other one can be used when you’re cooking.

5. Putting up a chalkboard wall

Do you have a recipe or to-do list to take note of, or maybe a message for someone in the house? Rather than using sticky notes on your refrigerator, you can have a chalkboard wall installed instead.

6. Your very own herb garden

Compared to store-bought herbs, fresh ones taste better. You can set up your very own herb garden in your kitchen as long as there is natural light that comes in. If you want to save some space, it is recommended to mount planters on your wall.

7. Spice drawer

By keeping your spices organized in a designated drawer, you wouldn’t have to go through the hassle of looking for the spice you need because they are all in the same place. Additionally, you won’t waste any space on the counter.

8. Cupboard pantry

Storage is highly important especially if you have a lot of things in your kitchen. By having a cupboard pantry, you can easily keep jars, bottles, and small kitchen appliances.

9. Cabinets with glass doors/ open shelves

The good thing about using cabinets with glass doors and open shelves is that you will be able to easily locate the things that you need—ultimately preventing you from wasting time and making you more efficient.

Final Thoughts

Function should always be the greatest priority in home renovation. Your efforts would be useless if the design doesn’t make the workflow smoother. Hopefully, this article will give you better ideas for you to make a more functional kitchen.

Blog, Home Remodelling, Tips

The Basics of Affordable Remodelling

July 25, 2018

There are many reasons to make changes to a home; as an aging proprietor, a recent occupant, or simply a creative mind not satisfied with the status quo at any given point. A home renovation may seem like a daunting and potentially expensive task if you are not aware of the right steps to take. While it is true that expenses often times account for major changes in a home, spending money isn’t the only way to radically renovate, given the right guidance. Here are a few useful and effortless tips anyone can follow to make substantial changes to their home at little to no cost.

Colour & Moods

A change in colour is the first and most obvious change you can make to a home. Moreover, it is the most distinct of changes, and it can be a lot of fun. Take the time to pick the colour you want before going out to buy the paint. As has been recommended by many a DIY home painter, don’t restrict yourself to once colour either, as different rooms reflect different moods. It may seem a little much but it will make the world of difference to play with different colours on different walls. Finally, try to find the time to paint the house yourself; you never know what ideas you might come up with while you’re at it.

Mobility & Math

Moving things around is perhaps the most old fashioned home renovation method of all and not one that should be so easily dismissed. This doesn’t just involve moving furniture around, even though that is a large part of it, but one shouldn’t be afraid deduct what needs to be deducted. Letting go of a few old things might clear space and allow you greater mobility. Otherwise, replacements are always an alternative, so adding could be factor in the whole occasion as well.

Practicality & Guidance

Letting practicality dictate what is done in a home is also a great way to make the right changes. Going through the house trying to figure out what is either useful or replaceable will make all the difference. This doesn’t only account for furniture and décor but appliances and general infrastructure as well. There may be some costs incurred in this process; after all, small replaceable things might be rid of without needing to spend, but when it comes to larger chunks of the house, you might need to spend a little. That said, if you are willing to go so far as to break down your kitchen wall or retile the bathroom, using practicality as a filter will help you avoid making more changes than is necessary, and as such, spending more than need be.

Out & In

No renovation is complete without some work outdoors. Even a slight alteration to reflect the changes made inside will give you the sense of completion and a job well done.

Action

Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice, especially with those sharing the home with you. Even regular visitor inputs should be welcome.

Blog, Home Decor, Tips

Tips for painting a ceiling without any trace

May 29, 2018

Your ceiling needs a touch of paint but you dread to truffle it with traces of roll … Do not panic, follow the advice of pros to find a new ceiling!

Painting a ceiling is always done in two layers. To begin, paint the corners of the walls that are difficult to access with the roller. Using a round brush, you have to take some ceiling paint and put it flush with the walls. Next, you need to determine a square-shaped space to apply paint in one direction, and so on until each delimited square intersects. Be careful to always keep the same meaning, otherwise your ceiling will be full of traces! To avoid being bothered by the light, always work with the windows behind your back.

For ease and time saving, it is advisable to use a pole where the rollers will be fixed. To avoid unpleasant surprises, it is also important to paint the ceilings before the walls.

To best apply a painting on a ceiling, it is absolutely necessary to dose the amount of it. If you put too much paint on your roll, you may run down! Conversely, if there is not enough, the traces of roll will be visible!

Choosing your roll is essential!

Absolutely use a 12 to 14 mm anti-drip roller. If you choose a satin or matte paint, use a short or medium-length roller. On the other hand, if you choose a lacquer or a glossy paint, opt for a roll with short hair.

Synthetic bristle rollers are used with aqueous emulsion paints whereas natural silk and wool rolls are used with solvent paints.

A paint adapted for each ceiling

Bathroom, kitchen or wet room: glycerophtalic paints are the most suitable. They are washable and do not fear moisture.

The ceilings of your rooms are healthy, the monolayer acrylic paints are perfect. Their application is very simple.

In any case, take a quick-drying paint.

Blog, Home Decor, Tips

How to increase the value of your home?

What types of work to do to increase the value of the house?

You want to sell your property. Here are two main aspects that will need to be taken into account to increase its value:
1. The technical aspect is undoubtedly what counts in priority and on which it will be necessary to focus all its attention. This will concern in particular:

The energy performance of the house;
The renovation of everything that needs to be maintained, under penalty of greater damage (roof, facade, etc.);
Major development work (upgrading a staircase, enlarging a space with a veranda, etc.).

2. The decor and comfort aspect is a point to improve, but certainly goes second. This will concern for example:

The construction of a swimming pool if the terrain lends itself to it;
The installation of windows to replace windows to bring more light to a room,
Renovation of interior painting;
Global maintenance and the interior.

Note: the good news is that all the work that will be undertaken to improve the energy performance of the house, will open right, under certain conditions, to financial assistance and subsidies.

Undertake improvement work without spending too much money: think about help!

If the house takes more value through well thought out work, it is not always necessary to put on the straw so far. Be aware, however, that doing proper work will often cost less than having to renegotiate the selling price.

Among the works to improve the energy performance of your home and then sell it more easily include:

Attic insulation for 1 euro;
Double or triple-glazed installation to better insulate windows;
The installation of insulating shutters ;
The installation of a condensing boiler to replace the old boiler.

For all this work, financial aid can greatly reduce the bill. The CITE (30% tax credit), the eco-interest loan , the reduced VAT rate , or the aid of Anah and premiums , are among the most often proposed as part of an improvement in energy performance.

To note: the common imperative to all these aids is to go through a qualified professional RGE (Recognized Guarantor of the Environment).

Before you start or if you do not know where to start, it would be advisable to have a heat balance done by a professional. This is, on the one hand, essential when one wants to sell a house, and on the other hand, it is a good way to know where are located the biggest energy losses of the house.

What works will enhance my home?

Put yourself in the shoes of a buyer. The first thing you notice when you come to visit a house, it is also what is seen the most: roof and facade . While this does not preclude further work, it’s just a question of priorities. In addition to insulation, we must think maintenance and renovation. For example, a roof that has not undergone a major maintenance for a decade, will probably pass into the hands of a professional. Hydrofuge a roof makes it possible to value the property but also to improve its energy performance.
As for the facade, it will also gain to be renovated and repainted in a light color to give it a facelift and modernity. Before the paint coat, an insulating coating may be welcome if the facade tends to crack with moisture.

Our advice: keep your bills well as you can show them to your potential buyers.

Category: Tips